Kerry County Council has confirmed that it has just one plot of development land in its ownership in Killarney – to the north of the bypass road – and it is earmarked for a significant redevelopment of the current Traveller accommodation at the location.
The planning process for the project is already underway and, senior council official, Ger O’Brien, said it is the only substantial parcel of land the council owns in Killarney.
“The proposed acquisition of another site from the HSE is working through the normal conveyancing processes and until these are completed properly, no plans can be advanced,” councillors were told.
Cllr Maura Healy-Rae, who raised the issue of local authority housing, said the shortage in Killarney has now reached an emergency situation and while approved housing bodies have taken some action, the local authority must utilise its own land.
“We can’t depend on the housing bodies to do our work for us. What are Kerry County Council doing about developing housing? What is the secrecy and why can’t we be given detail of what is being planned?” she asked.
She said there is a need on the local authority to find land for housing “even if it is one or two houses or apartments that are built”.
Cllr Healy-Rae said some people are waiting 10 to 15 years for houses and there is no light at the end of the tunnel.
“People are living in crowded conditions and there are people with disabilities in very unsuitable conditions,” she said.
Cllr Healy-Rae said no information is being provided by the Land Development Authority about the availability of land for housing on the St Finan’s Hospital site or on the land earmarked for housing on a section of the former Pretty Polly complex.
Cllr Healy-Rae also expressed concern about the new choice-based letting system being introduced by Kerry County Council with the local authority issuing 4,000 letters to housing applicants.
She said the new system where applicants can bid for available houses online was confusing for elderly people and while council officials stated that elderly applicants and those with disabilities would be dealt with separately, the bids would be assessed online and not in tandem with the housing list.
“In a hypothetical situation where an applicant is waiting for 10 years on the list and not using the choice-based letting system and you then had an applicant using choice based letting with five years, what would happen,” she asked.
“I am fearful and petrified that applicants who are not using the chose-based letting system may not be able to use technology effectively and will be greatly disadvantaged.
“Priority should be given to applicants in terms of where they are on the list and how many years they are waiting,” Cllr Healy-Rae stated.
Don’t leave it too late – It’s the season to book your Christmas advertising – Email news@killarneytoday.com or call 087-2229761
